Media Centre
Media Release
New funding for the Australian Institute of Marine Science
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop
MP, today announced funding of $5 million over four years to support the
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) with research into the unique
and remote marine ecosystems in northwest Australia.
The new funding is part of the 2007-08 Budget and will allow AIMS,
Australia’s tropical marine research agency, to provide further information
for the protection and sustainable use of the marine resources of
Australia’s tropical ocean territories.
"The northwest marine region of Australia is largely unexplored and this
funding will allow AIMS to continue to work with the offshore oil and gas
industry and other stakeholders to improve our understanding of the region’s
iconic marine ecosystems," Minister Bishop said.
"This critical research will underpin the environmental protection and
sustainable use of Australia’s resources in this prospective oil and gas
precinct."
Recognised worldwide for the quality of its research into complex
large-scale problems in tropical marine environments, AIMS’ expertise and
strong linkages with industry provide a unique capacity to significantly
advance the limited understanding of the important northwest region.
Minister Bishop said the funding will allow AIMS to pursue new
opportunities to co-invest with industry to undertake much needed research.
"This investment will enable AIMS to provide new knowledge of the
region’s biodiversity and natural variability, and contribute to
understanding of the responses of marine and coastal systems to climate
change and other impacts."
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Media Contacts |
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| Minister Bishop’s Office: |
Tory Vidler |
0414 228 727 |
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Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS): |
Dr Ian Poiner (CEO) |
0419 702 652 |
Supporting Information
Why is this important?
Australia’s marine territories in the northwest remain largely
unexplored. Science-based information will provide improved certainty
for planning related to protection of the region’s biodiversity and
sustainable development of its resources.
The offshore oil and gas industry is planning significant expansion
of production in northwest Australia, and the region is forecast to
account for 10% of global LNG liquefaction terminal investment over the
next five years.
Both industry and regulators require information on the marine
ecosystems of the region in order to streamline approval and compliance
needs under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This funding will enable AIMS to increase its efforts in the
northwest, while continuing its high priority public interest research
in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Who will benefit?
Australia as a whole will benefit from effective protection of the
region’s biodiversity and environmentally sustainable marine industry.
Knowledge of biodiversity and natural variability of the marine
ecosystems of the region will provide improved certainty for planning.
This information will benefit both environmental managers and industry
by underpinning effective protection of the region’s biodiversity and
sustainable use of the region’s marine resources.
What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?
$5 million over four years.
What have we done in the past?
AIMS is in the top 1% of marine specialist research organisations
internationally. The Institute has 10 years experience working in the
marine ecosystems of the northwest, enabled by strategic co-investment
with the offshore oil and gas industry. This experience has built
research and infrastructure capabilities at AIMS, led to new knowledge
of marine ecosystems in northwest Australia and enabled AIMS to build
links with both regulators and industry operating in the region.
When will the initiative conclude?
Funding is for the next four financial years commencing on 1 July
2007.
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